Simplicity: I have officially been to the equator.

I wrote this two weeks ago...but it didn't post. Posting it now will have to do.

What a day! Today we all went to the equator, which I feel is an appropriate thing considering the country in which we live was named after this fascinating landmark. We took a forty five-ish minute drive through the hills of Quito. The first thing we saw was a large monument that was built by the French on the spot where the equator "supposedly" was decades ago. We then came to a little outdoor museum that looked like an indigenous Ecuadorian village. As many of the girls said upon our arrival, "Now this is what I imagined Ecuador to look like."

Our tour guide was very sweet and spoke English very well, which made the tour a lot more enjoyable. She first told us about some cool facts about the Ecuadorian rainforest, which included a very disturbing exhibit of way-too-large snakes and spiders. Ew. I didn't stand too close for this part. After that came the interesting equator shtuff. She taught us all about the patterns of the sun, and how the pull of the equator is different on the north and south. She did a really cool demonstration of how the water drains in opposite directions on either side, and then when it's right on the equator it doesn't really drain it just...falls down. We also got to balance an egg on a nail, which is only possible on the equator. Did you know you're 2.2 lbs lighter on the equator? You also lose most of your strength, no matter how hard you try. I'm a fan of the first phenomenon. The second, not so much. The last straw was when I found that your sense of balance is lost on the equator. I'm a dancer, ok? That's really not acceptable.

After the equator we unanimously decided to experience an Ecuadorian delicacy together. Brace yourselves...guinea pig. Yes, this furry little pet is considered a party food and a delicacy in Ecuador. It cost $20 for one little sucker. I was a little nervous to try it, but if I didn't think about it I was a little more ok with it. It was like chicken, but a tiny bit gamier and it had a sweet kick to it. I only took a couple of nibbles, but that's enough for me to be able to say that I've tried guinea pig. Have you? Didn't think so. We quickly rushed to get burgers and coke right after this little adventure. That washed it down nicely!

Man, I sure do love Ecuador. And the equator. :)